Mohit Ulva, the No. 10 medium pacer who struck a match-winning four off the final ball to hand India U19 a stunning one-wicket win over Pakistan U19 in the Asia Cup final, has spoken candidly about the team's post-match celebrations — which drew criticism in Pakistan — saying the display was entirely natural and not directed at their opponents.

The Winning Moment

India U19 were staring at almost certain defeat at 252 for 8, still needing 86 runs to overhaul Pakistan's total of 338. What followed was a remarkable ninth-wicket stand of 57 runs between Mohit and Manal Chauhan, who contributed an important 47. Mohit then finished the chase with an unbeaten 49, capping the win with a boundary off the last delivery when three runs were required.

'Actually, I was completely zoned out after hitting three runs on one ball with a four. I didn't know that everyone was running to me; everything was happening,' Mohit said in an interview with Star Sports. 'It was done; I finished the game. Until it was over, I believed that I would finish it. But after I did it, I couldn't believe that I had finished it.'

What Mohit Said About the Celebrations

The Indian team's celebrations were widely scrutinised in Pakistan following the final. Mohit addressed the controversy directly, insisting the exuberance was spontaneous and not intended as a slight to Pakistan.

'It is natural. It was an India vs Pakistan match, and additionally, a final. The way they celebrated after beating us in the league stage — actually, we were not even taking their celebration personally. We were thinking that they were celebrating their own victory. It doesn't matter what they do,' he said.

'We did likewise. We were celebrating our own victory. It had emotions, aggression, and everything. We weren't doing it to show them anything. We were celebrating among ourselves, and everything was natural,' Mohit added. After the celebrations on the field, he made a point of going to the Indian supporters in the stands, whom he credited for staying through the entire day's play.

Partnership That Changed the Game

Mohit detailed the mindset he and Manal Chauhan shared in what appeared to be a lost cause. 'No one had any doubt that we wouldn't be able to do it. Everyone knew that our team had the capability to do it,' he said. He revealed that his coaching staff provided crucial backing at the crease: 'Sir gave me the confidence that if I play the last ball, I'll do it.'

The two batters reportedly agreed on a clear strategy — whoever survived to face the final delivery would win India the match. 'Whatever Manal and I planned, whatever we thought, at that moment, it happened. Actually, our execution was on point. We needed a lot of luck in that. Because anything can happen out of the box,' Mohit acknowledged.

What It Means for Indian Youth Cricket

The victory underlines a growing culture of belief in India's age-group cricket setup, where lower-order batting and nerve under pressure are increasingly celebrated as skills in their own right. The Asia Cup U19 triumph — sealed in a final against their fiercest rivals — will rank among the most dramatic finishes in the tournament's history. For Mohit personally, the win carried deep emotional weight: 'For my family, for my country, for India, it's a good feeling to win such a match,' he said.

The focus now shifts to whether this group of players can carry their extraordinary composure into senior domestic cricket and, eventually, international competition.